Bib apron



March 28, 1939. H MCELDOWNEY 2,152,073

BIB APRON I Filed May 22, 1937 Patented Mar. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application May 22, 1937, Serial No..144,150 In Canada June 3, 1936 1 Claim.

object is to provide an improved apron of simple,-

inexpensive and eificient construction, having a flap secured to the upper edge of the bib which is adapted to be folded and tucked inside the wearers waist or dress, at the neck, as means whereby the bib portion of the apron is carried and supported.

Further objects of the invention are to eliminate the need and use of neck-strings, neckbands or halters in the construction and manufacture of aprons, and to overcome the inconvenience, strain and irritation caused therefrom from the back of the wearers neck.

Moreover, by my new and improved construction I avoid and eliminate the use and need of back-straps with sash, or of buttons, pins or breaches, as a means of supporting the bib portion of aprons.

The novel apron embodying my invention has many benefits, among them' being, an apron constructed according to my specification simplifies the process of manufacture, requires less material and labor, is neat in appearance, and by reason of the particular mode of retaining the bib in position upon the body assures the wearer a high degree of comfort.

The invention will be fully understood from the detailed description hereinafter presented, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the upper portion of an apron embodying the invention, cut away from the lower portion, and showing the same in extended position.

Figure 2 is a view of a lower body portion of an apron shown cut away from the upper bib portion.

Figure 3 is a View showing a slightly modified construction of the upper portion of the apron constructed in accordance with, and embodying the invention, with parts broken away to show the formation.

Figure 4 is a trimming used in the construction shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an interlining used in the construction shown in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is an illustration of the construction shown in Figure 1 showing same in position on the wearer.

Various methods have been devised heretofore for the purpose of supporting the bib portions of aprons. Usually, for this purpose, a tapestring, neck-band or halter is employed, the ends of which are secured to the upper edge of the bib at the right and left sides thereof, which provides a passage for the head of the wearer. The weight of the bib, and the movements and exercise of the body causes the tape, band or '5 halter to creep up to the back of the wearers neck where it rests and creates great discomfort. The wearer is incommoded by reason of having to frequently re-arrange and remove such bands, or the like from this position for the 210 purpose .of obtaining temporary relief from strain, friction and irritation. The bib portions of such aprons have a tendency to droop down in proportion to the upward movement of the neckbands, thus presenting a loose and untidy appearance. The strain and distortion across the back of the neck, which is especially annoying in hot weather, and the objectionable features of such aprons are overcome in my new construction. Another, and old method of supporting bib aprons so as to relieve the annoyance causedby neck-bands and such other members,

is to pin or button the bib to the waist or dress. Waists and dresses of fine texture are often damaged by the resulting strain imposed thereon, and by the constant attachment of the bib to, and detachment from same. One of the purposes of my invention is to render unnecessary the use of pins or buttons as herein described.

An inspection of the drawing will show the improvements in my new apron over the old and familiar models, and indicate at once the simplicity, advantages and benefits of my novel construction whereby the bib is suspended free and independent of back-straps with sash, tapes, neck-bands, halters, buttons or pins. In Figure 1 I have shown the upper portion of a womans apron, wherein resides particularly the novelty, utility and essential features of my invention.

The bib section of the apron is indicated by I,

being that part tapering upwards in a concave manner from the outer extremities 2 to the narrowest point 3 which may be designated as the upper edge of the bib. Above said upper edge of bib 3 is the top of the apron known as flap 4 which is that part adapted to be folded and tucked in under the wearers waist or dress, at the neck of same, as means whereby said bib is carried and supported. Said top or flap 4 may be of any suitable shape and answer the purposes for which it is intended, but by preference is shown rounding, as indicated in the drawing. The legs 5 of said flap extend in opposite directions laterally from the upper edge of the bib to provide a shoulder which engages the neck of a dress thereby providing sufiicient spread to efiiciently suspend bib section I when same is in use upon the wearer. The bib section being tapered sharply from said outer edges 2 to upper edge 3 requires a comparatively small amount of material and is therefore light in weight and is easily .and comfortably held in a. fixed position by said flap 4 when same is turned in and spread out inside the wearers dress as herein described. Further, a bib supported by the means provided fits close to the wearers waist or dress, is not bulky, and will not sag or hang loose from the dress as would be the case were same suspended by the old and ordinary methods referred to. In making bib aprons for the use of infants it is desirable to shape the bib in a convex manner to the upper edge which assures greater spread and protection to the childs' clothing where it is most needed. Depending upon the occasion for which the aprons are made, they may be manufactured of cloth, rubber, paper or any other suitable material.

The upper portion of the apron as shown in Figures 1 and. 3 may be made separately and attached to the lower body portion of an apron as shown in Figure 2, or may form a continuous part thereof, as desired. Figure 2 represents only the lower body portion of an apron of old and well known form. As the apron of my invention consists primarily in one having a top or flap as herein described, .and expressly for the particular objects and purposes explained, any suitable form or shape may be used for said lower portions or the construction thereof varied as desired.

In Figure 3 I have shown a slightly modified way of making the upper portion of the .apron showing same in extended position and with parts broken away to show the construction. It is desirable to make aprons in this manner when same are composed of light weight materials. In this construction I employ a stifiening fabric or interlining as represented in Figure 5 which is substantially the same size and shape as flap 4. The interlining, Figure 5 is placed upon flap 4 and may be secured thereto by means of stitching 6. For the purpose of concealing said interlining from view and to enhance the ornamental appearance of the apron I apply trimming as shown in Figure 4, the top of which conforms to the shape of the flap, over said interlining, Figure '5. Flap 4 being constructed in the aforesaid manner has suflicient weight and firmness to retain itself in proper position under the wearers dress, and to amply support the bib section as herein explained. The outer edges may be bound with bias tape or finished in suitable manner.

I illustrate in Figure 6 the apron in actual use on the wearer with flap 4 represented within dotted line I, which is same concealed, tucked in at the neck, and spread out, as shown by legs 5 beneath the wearers dress, as means of holding 'in place and suspending bib section I.

The apron of my invention is desirable in considering the comfort of the wearer, in that it permits the wearer to exercise, bend over, and move in any direction without being incommoded and inconvenienced by pulling and distortion, such as would be created by direct passage of bands or other supports leading over the shoulders and across the back of the wearers neck. Obviously, theparticular form or construction of the flap comprising the top of the apron may be varied as desired without departing from' the scope and spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

In an apron having a bib portion, a flap secured to the upper edge of the bib portion, said flap having two portions extending in opposite directions laterally beyond said bib portion toprovide shoulders for securing said bib portion in the neck of a dress or waist.

HARRIET McELDOWNEY. 

